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Drinking tea comes with a host of healing benefits but green tea is in a league of its own. In fact, people have been using green tea for medicinal purposes in Asia for over 5,000 years. No wonder, it is so popular today.
There are several types of green tea and the most common one is Sencha which contains matcha. This emerald-colored tea is usually grown in Japan and comes with health benefits that range from protecting your heart to enhancing your memory, to boosting your mood by reducing stress, according to Health. Here are nine reasons to add green tea to your diet.
Contains powerful antioxidants
Green tea contains powerful plant compounds called catechins that act like antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage and protect your body from many chronic illnesses like heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, and even some cancers, according to Healthline. The anticancer effects of green tea may hinder tumor growth.
Good for diabetics
The antioxidants in green tea could help manage or prevent type 2 diabetes by reducing insulin resistance, according to Health. Insulin resistance causes your cells to be less effective at converting sugar to energy and is a leading cause of diabetes. Drinking green tea when you eat starchy food may also help to lessen blood sugar spikes.
Promotes heart health
Drinking green tea can also promote heart health because it helps to lower blood pressure. This is very important for people who are at high risk for heart disease. High blood pressure is one of the causes of heart disease and stroke because it can damage the lining of your arteries and that can lead to plaque buildup. This narrowing of the arteries may restrict blood flow to your heart and brain.
Good for your gut
The plant compounds, like polyphenols, in green tea are not absorbed by your digestive system, and go intact into your large intestine, reported BBC Good Food. There the compounds are broken down by gut bacteria and act like a food to feed the beneficial bacteria that promotes gut health and helps to boost your immune system.
Helps Improve Cognitive Function
Drinking green tea could benefit cognition and brain function, according to Healthline. This could be due to the caffeine and L-theanine – an amino acid – that is contained in the tea. There is also some evidence that drinking green tea helps to protect you from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Helps to reduce anxiety and stress
The L-theanine in green tea could also help relieve anxiety and physical stress according to Kusmi Tea. In fact, green tea contains more of the amino acid than other teas. So if you are feeling stressed, calm down with a cup of green tea without feeling drowsy.
Supports bone health
Green tea could lower your risk of osteoporosis – a bone disease that increases the risk of fractures – , explained Health. Post menopausal people have the highest risk of the disease. But the powerful antioxidants found in green tea may enhance the formation of bone and help protect against bone loss.
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